59

In these estimates of outlay you will notice for the first time a considerable amount
proposed for the encouragement of higher class of education. Believe me, that nothing can
be of more importance. But this vote (according to the principle which the Provincial
Government endeavors to carry out) is only as it were a grant in aid; and will be void, unless
those more especially interested are willing to come forward to help; it is a policy of self-help that we advocate. The only other point that I propose specially to notice, is the
very considerable amount proposed for surveys; amounting to upwards of £13,000. The
Council will expect much from this department, if it should sanction the very large expenditure proposed; and I have reason to believe myself, that these expectations will not be
disappointed.

Having thus brought before you the estimates of income and outlay severally, I
desire briefly to compare them; as there is much encouragement for the future to be derived
from such a comparison; and a lesson to be learnt, if we are only wise enough to be
taught. A comparative study of the estimates will show that you may efficiently and
creditably conduct your provincial administration at an annual cost of say £33,000.
This estimate includes management of departments, gaols, police, harbors and repair of
main lines, &c.; but does not include any new works and undertakings. Now what
prospect have you of averaging such an income? For the last 19 years (Appendix N.) the
average annual income from sales of land in this province may be stated at £23,480
(exclusive of land scrip). What then are the prospects of the continuance of such an
average? I refer to a return (Appendix O) from which it appears that 1,209,468 acres
have been sold, which yielded an annual average of £3,480. But you will remember
that out of this estate of 1,209,468 acres 268,000 were alienated by the New Zealand
Company and otherwise, without contribution to the provincial revenue; and therefore
that the average income to which I have referred was derived from the sale of less than
950,000 acres. Now, you have still remaining 1,050,000 acres; you may therefore, I
conceive, not unreasonably anticipate an equal average for the next fifteen or twenty years
to that which has accrued for the last nineteen years. You may fairly place your average
income for a similar period arising from other sources, wholly independent of any capitation
allowance or subsidy from the General Government, at £19,000. You may calculate
therefore, for many years to come—taking one year with another—on averaging an annual
income of say £42,000 to £43,000; which would leave you £9,000 or £10,000 per annum
for new works and undertakings after providing for your ordinary departments and
maintenance of main lines. But, if you bear in mind that there will be a natural increment
of your ordinary revenue during the time, for which I have calculated; and, further,
that there are upwards of four millions of acres within the province yet unalienated,
the wisdom of your throwing up the sponge, and leaving such considerable resources
to pass out of your own immediate control, may indeed well be questioned. I do not
pretend that these prospects are brilliant or grand; but I say that they are sufficiently
encouraging, if only you are content to conduct your affairs in a spirit of progress and
vigilance combined with prudence; indeed, you have no margin for recklessness. And I
further say, if you resolutely enter on such a course as I have endeavored to point
out, the beneficial effects will not be confined to the province; for if the provinces
generally determine to adopt a policy of self-help and economy, minding their own affairs,
whilst they, at the same time, loyally recognise the sovereignty of the Colonial Parliament
(for I do not ask for an uncontrolled control), it is scarcely likely that no economy and
reform will be enforced on the Colonial Government. The result assuredly would then
be, that the valuable time of the Assembly would not be frittered away on parish
business, and the administration of our affairs generally would become more economical
and more effective, and the burthens of New Zealand would be steadily reduced.

WILLIAM FITZHERBERT,
Superintendent.

Superintendent’s Office,
Wellington, April 30, 1871.